All Black star arrested after 'damaging cars' at Heathrow

All Blacks ace Doug Howlett has been arrested on suspicion of damaging two cars during a rampage.

Police were called to a disturbance at the Hilton hotel near Heathrow Airport at 3am yesterday to find two cars damaged.

Howlett, New Zealand's leading test tryscorer, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and bailed.

The 29-year-old and several team mates were delayed in Europe because their country's association had been confidently expecting to progress further than the quarter-finals and had not booked a ticket home.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A 29-year- o ld man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage on two cars. He was taken to Heathrow police station and bailed to reappear pending further inquiries."

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All Blacks manager Darren Shand today said they would be conducting their own investigation into the incident.

"It is a serious matter and we are concerned that something of this nature has occurred at what is already a disappointing time for the team and for our supporters.î

It comes after Tongan player Joseph Vaka was cautioned on 30 September after clashing with an England fan who teased him about his team's World Cup defeat.

Meanwhile more than 10 million rugby fans are expected to tune in to Saturday's semi-final between England and France. If England win, ITV will charge £10,000 per second for advertising in the final.